Apparatus for toy electric railways



Sept. 27, 1932. F. w. HEHRE APPARATUS FOR TOY ELECTRIC RAILWAYS Filed Sept.` 25, 1929 wat M freier/ M ffy/w22 ATTORNEY elements at a time.

Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED s'rzvpllas FREDERICK w. HEERE, 0E

PATENT; ori-*ICE VAPPARATUS RoR ToY ELECTRIC RAILWAYS Application led Septemberr25, 1929. Serial No. 395,017.`

This invention relates to means for operating a group of changeable elements'of toy electric railways, lsuch as a group of track switches, semaphores, gates and signal lamps,

" and has for its principal obj ect the provision should be coordinated. Another object of the invention is to cause actuation of all of said elements without increasing the powerre-y quired above that for actuating one-of the To `accomplish these and other objects, I provide that the changeable elements shall operate in succession automatically, and preferably in such manner that as each element is operated the energy therefor is automatically 'interruptedbefore the next element starts to take energy. Y

'Y lThe invention also comprehends apparatus for toy electric railways useful in theseand other arrangements.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, in application, as an example to various forms of changeable elements operated by three reversible solenoids supplied from a grounded direct or alternating lcurrent source which also supplies the propulsion current, v

Fig. 1 shows the changeable elements in i one position of rest, and Fig. 2 in the opposite position.

The toy electric railway has main track MT and a shunt-track ST connected bya track switch TS which is operated by the' rod l-attached to the plunger member 2 of the Y double-throw'or reversible solenoid RS. VThe -M outer ends of the energizing coils?) and 4 thereof are connected by wires 5 and 6 to the opposite contacts 7 and 8 ofra manually-operated single-.pole double-throw switch S, the

blade 9 of which is connected to one terminal Jr.) ofthe direct or alternating source of 5U therollers 11 and 12, forming movable contacts, the former one engagingthe stationary contact 13 at the time the latterone'engages y the stationary contact 14, as shown in Fig. 1,'v and the former engaging the contactl `at theY time the latter one engages the Vcontact 16', as shown in Fig. 2. vThe roller 11 is grounded,

ARLINGTONNEW JERSEY. AssIGNoR To LEON w. RosEN- THAI., 0E NEW YORK, N. Y. 1 Y Y Y as shown and the roller 12 is connected to terminal -lof the source of current supply.V The contacts 13and 15 are connected by wires and 18 tothe inner ends of the-two ener-V gizing coils 3 and 4, whereas thecontacts 14 and 16 are connected by wires19 and 2O to the insulated third rail sections 21 and 22 of the main and shunt-tracks,similar tothe ar` rangement described and claimed in myco-r pendingapplication, Serial No. `366,690,1iled May28, 1929. A' Y The second reversible solenoid RS is simi-` lar to the first except'that in this case its plunger member 2is connected tofthe gate G pivoted at 23, .whereasftheputerlends'of itsv energizing 'coils' and 4- are connected by wires 24 and 25 to contacts 14 and 16 of the first solenoid RS instead of to the contacts of the manual switch'MS. The third solenoid RS is similar to the second one except that the outer ends of its energizing coils 3'," and' 4 are connected by wires26 and27 to contacts 14 and 16 ofthe second solenoid RS i instead of tol-the'contacts`14 Vand 16 ofthe first solenoid RS, and inasmuch' as this third solenoid controls the pivote'd semaphore arm SA and the signal lamps L1 and L2,'the con-fl tacts 14 and 16 are connected bywlres 28 and 29 to the groundedflaments 'thereof as nected, as Aindica-ted by the terminating-ar-V shown.` vThe wires 30 and 31 may be'conrows thereof, to a fourth solenoid, and thisiarrangementv 'may be extended tojas many solenoids as desired. `Asap'pears later, 'each`v of these solenoids automatically interrupts its position tothe other, similari to the solenoid.

' of my copendingapplication Serial No. 39757,-,-

1,- the track 016 filed September 25,1929.

V.In the position shown in Fig. switch TS isset for passage of a train throughenergizing current during its" throw from one vit along-the main track,.MT,the-gatefG is open, vthe semaphore arm SAv is clear for the c main track and the lamp L1;'preferably`- green-colored indicating safety, is lighted,

v tively, the final positi while the lamp'L2, preferably red-colored indicating danger, is out. The manual switch S is closed at contact 7, visually indicating the clear position of the group of changeable elements as aforesaid and also indicating the corresponding position of the solenoids RS, RS and RS. No current is flowing to either energizing coil of any solenoid because the circuit ot the respective coils 3, 3 and 3, which is closed at contact 7, 14 or 14, is open at 15,15 or 15, whereas the circuit of respective coils 4, 4 and 4, which is closed at contact 13, 13 or 13, Vis open at contact 8, 16 or 16. "Third rail sectionp21 remains energizedfrom roller 12 by way of Contact 14 and wire l19, while third rail section 22 remains deenergized. Like wise lamp 28 remains lighted from roller 12 by wayof contact 14 and'wire v28. Y

To move the track switch .TS to connect the shunt track ST with the main track MT, the blade 9 of switch S is moved to contact 8, whereupon Vcurrent ilows through energizing coil 4 from the terminal (it) ofthe source by way of 9, 8, 6,4, 17, 13, 11 and then by ground to the other terminal of the source. f The plunger 2 01E-solenoid RS is then drawn into energizing coil 4. The current to energizing coil 4 is interrupted at contact 13 as soon as roller 1 1 disengages it, and simultaneously therewith third rail section 22 is deenergized, but the plunger continues its movement into coil 4 by its `momentum until the rollers 11 and 12 engage contacts 15 and .16, the iinal position being shown in Fig. 2, in which third rail section 22 is energizedfrom roller12 by way of lContact 16 and wire20. As soon as roller 12 engages contact 1,6, current iiowsV from termina1(l) of thesource of current supply, connected to-that roller and then by way of 16 and 25 to coil 4" of solenoid RS', returning to the grounded terminal of the source through 17', 13 and 11. `Plunger 2 of solenoid RS is thereupon drawn into coil 4, the current theretoV continuing to flow until roller 11 disengages contact 13.- The plunger continues its movement into coil 4 by its momentumuntil rollers 11 and 12 engage contacts 15. and 16, .the iinal position being shown in Fig. 2. As soon as roller 12 engages contact 16, current ilows from terminal (ffii) of the source `of current supply, also connected'to. that; roller, to energizing coil interrupted, but the plunger continues its movement by its momentum until rollers 11 and 12 engage contacts 15 and 16" respeconbeing shown in Fig.

2. When roller 12 -disengagescontact 14"',y lamp L1 is extinguished and when roller 12, engages contact 16', 'lamp L2i's lightedbyf f upon the next manual initiation current flowing from the terminal l) ofthe source by way of 12, 16, 29 and filament of lamp L2 to ground.

With the group ofV changeable elements in the position shown in Fig. 2 and blade 9 of the manual switch S engaging contact 8, no current is flowing to either energizing coil of any solenoid, because thecircuit of the respective coils 4, 4 and 4, which is closed at contact 8, 16 or 16, is open at contact 13, 13 or 13, whereas the circuit of respective coils 3, 3 or 3, which is closed at contact 15, 15 or 15, is open at contact 7, 14 or 14.V The track switch remains in position to connect the main and shunt tracks, and the third rail section 22 remains energized while the third rail section 21 is deenergized. At the same time the gate is closed, the semaphore arm SA is up and the red lamp L2 is burning to indicate danger. To move the group of changeable elements to the position shown in Fig. 1, the blade 9 in Fig. 2.7is moved to contact 7, whereupon current flows from terminal of the source through coil'3-by way of 9,v 7, 5, 3, 18, 15 and 111 tovground. The plunger 2 of solenoid RS is then drawn into coilf3, the current thereto being interrupted as soon as roller 11 disengages contact 15, A and the plunger continuing its movement by its momentum until the rollers 11 and 12 engage contacts 13 and14, the rfinal position shown in Fig. 1. As the roller 12 engages contact 14, current flows fromr terminal (l) of the Vsource throughcoil 3 by wayV of 14, 24, 3,

interrupted when roller 11 disengages con-A tact 15, and the plunger. continuing its movement by its momentum until rollers 11 and '12. engage contacts 13 and 14 as shown in Fig. 1. As soon asroller 12 engages contact 14, current flows from the terminal (l) of thesource through coil 3 by way of 12, 14, 26, 3, 18, 15 vand 11 to ground, whereupon the plunger 2"v moves into coil 4.. As soon as'froller'll disengages contact 15,.the current to coil 3 is interrupted, but the plunger continues its movement by Aits momentum until rollers 11 and 12enga0'e contacts 13 and 14respectively, the linal position being shown in Fig. 1. When roller 12 disengages contact 16, lamp L2 isV extinguished and'when roller 12 engages Contact 14', lamp L1 islighted by current flowing from terminal (-t) of the source through its ilam'entito ground by way of 12, V14 and 28. All of the changeable ele- 1 ments of the group are now in the position shown in Fig. 1 and are ready Yfor a'subsequent Vmovement to their opposite position ment of the switchS. Y

Instead of the Ythree solenoids shown here-7' in, two or more than three'may be larranged by moveto operate in succession automatically, and instead of connecting them to the changeable elements shown herein, they may be connected to any other group such as two or more track switches, each with associated semaphore arms and signal lights, or with semaphore arms` signal lights, gates etc., operated by lindependent solenoids of the same group. Furthermore, the current for operating the solenoids may be supplied from a source different from or independent of the source of propulsion current, or, in i'act, the devices for operating the changeable elements may use energy other than electrical energy.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a toy electric railway, the combination with a plurality of associated movable trackfand way elements, of means for operating said elements in succession automatically after initial manual actuation, said means being arranged to operaie said elements always in the same sequence at each manual actuation.

2. In a toy electric railway, the combination with a plurality of associated movableV track and way elements, v 'of electrical means for operating said elements in succession automatically after initial manual actuation, with automatic current cutoi from said means after operation of said elements, said means being arranged to operate said elements always in the same sequence at each manual operation. 1

3. In a toy electric railway, the combination with a plurality of associated movable track and way elements, of interconnected separate electrical means for operating said elements in succession automatically after initial manual actuation, with automatic current cut-off :from each operating means after actuation of each of said operating means, said means being arranged to operate said elements always in the same sequence at each manual actuation.

4. In a toy electric railway, the combination withva plurality of associated movable track and way elements, of interconnected, separate electrical means for operating said elements in succession automatically after initial manual actuatiomwith automatic current cut-off from each operating means after actu ation of each of said operating means and the imparting of current to a succeeding operating means, said means being Varranged to operate said elements always in thek same sequence at each manual actuation.

5. In a toy electric railway, a track having an insulated section, a manually controlled electrically actuated device for changing the electrical condition of said section, and a movable signal device set into motion by and after actuation of said iirstrnamed device.

6. In a toy electric railway, a track having an insulated section, a manually controlled electrically actuateddevice for changingithe electrical condition of saidsection, and mov-v able signal devices set into motion by and Y after eachl actuation ofi-said first named de'- vice, the current for actuating said first mentioned device being-arranged to be automatically` cut ofi' from itsl actuating means afterY each'actuation of said device." v 'i Y 7. 'In a toy electric railway,`a track having an insulated sectio1i,'an manually controlled electrically'actuated device for changing the electrical Vcondition -o Said section, and'other` devicesA arranged t0 be `electrically actuated by said first mentioned device, 'the-current for actuating each of said devices 'being -arranged to be automaticallycut oil' from their respective actuating means after eachjactuation of' each `of said devices.

8. In 'a toy electric railway,a track havinganinsulated section, a manually'controlled electrically actuated device for changingtheV electrical condition of said section, and other electricallyVV actuated devices arrangedto be set automatically-into automatically successive yoperation by .said first mentioned device.

9. In a toy electric railway, a track having an insulated section, a manuallyV controlled-- electrically actuated devicefor changing the electrical condition of said section, and'other electrically actuated devices arranged to be set automatically into automaticallyV succes'- siveoperation by said iirst mentioned device,

the'current for actuating each oiisaid devices being arranged to--be automatically cut oil from their respective actuating means atter each actuation of-eacli of said devices. i

ica

*10. In a'toy'electric' railway, axtrjack hav-iv Y Ving a plurality of Yinsulated*sectionsfagmanually controlledelectrically 'actuated' 4switch for selectively energizinglsaid sectionsv and oneor more movable signal devices set into motionbv and after each actuation of said. `first named'device.

11. In' a toy. electric "railway,v main and shunt tracks, a track switch, an-'insulated track section, manually controlled .electrical-v means for operating said track switch andy changing the electricalcondition of said secating said track switch and selectively energizing said insulated sections and one or more movable signal devices set intomotion by and afterV each actuation of saidL iirst mentioned device.. Y

having an insulated section, a track switch,

manuallycontrolled electrical means for op- 130,

erating said track switch and selectivelyl en- 1in, y

13. In a toy electric railway, a main track y having an insulated section, a shunt track ergizing said insulated sections, the current for actuating the switch being arranged to be automatically cut off after each actuation thereofand one or more movable signal de-V vices set into motion by said means after said switch'has been actuated. Y Y

u 14. In atoy electric railway, a main track having an insulated section, a shunt track l having aninsulated section, a track switch,

manually controlled electrical means for operating said track switch and selectively en-l ergizing said insulated sections, and other interconnected devices controlled by the track switch operating mechanism. Y

15. In a toy electric railway, a main track havingan insulated sectiona. shunt track having an insulated section, a track switch, manually controlled electrical means for operating said track switch and selectively energizing saidinsulated sections, and other in-A terconnected devices having automatically successive operation after initial actuation by the trackswitch operating mechanism.`

16. In a toy electric railway, a maintrack having an'insulated section, a shunt track having an insulated section, a track switch, a manually controlled electrically actuated device for operating said track switch and selectively energizing said insulated sections, and other devices arranged to be electrically actuated by said first mentioned'device,vthe current for actuating each of saidl devices Vbeing arranged to be automatically cut olf from their respective actuating means after each actuation of each of said devices.

17. In a toy electric railway, `a main track having aninsulated section, a shunt track having an insulated section, a track switch, a manually controlled electrically actuated -device for operating said track and selectively energizing said insulated sections, vand other electrically actuated devices arranged to be set automatically into automatically successive operation by said first mentioned de-y vice, the current for actuating each of said devices being arrangedtobe automatically cut off .from their respective actuating'` means Y after each actuation of each of said devices.

In' testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

Y FREDERICK VW. HEHRE. 

